Italy: Escape Americanism and Enjoy the Tuscan Life Past Review

By (Sociology/Pre-Med, Austin College) for

SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience strengthened my interest in my professional plans.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Amazing food!!!! My host mom was the best cook and adhered to my dietary requirements perfectly.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I enjoyed SAI's trip to Rome.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Florence is a very safe city. I did not have any problems walking around the city at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 50 euro (however, I only had to pay for lunches and two dinners a week out of my personal expenses).
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Traveling by train is not THAT cheap, traveling outside of the host city is more expensive than anticipated.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I used the host country language in my interaction with my host family. Most of the students, however, were not challenged to speak Italian.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Stay with a host family!